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“Why do you need a job, Abbs?” Blake’s eyebrows furrowed.
“I need to make some money.” I sighed, wishing I’d never let Jeff convince me not to work. “I can’t very well go back to Jeff’s. And I don’t have enough money saved for firstandlast month’s rent on a new place.”
“What about Liam and Duke?” Grace’s lips turned down.
“What about them?” It was foolish of me to think I had forever with them after just one night.
“Don’t you like them?” Grace’s eyebrows knitted together, and her forehead scrunched. I knew it was going to be hard to leave my best friends, but my life wasn’t here.
“Of course I do, but it’s just some rebound fling. I’m only here until I can get my feet under me.” I blew out a breath.
“There’s no such thing as a fling around here. We all should know,” Victoria said around her mouthful. It was her idea for pancakes this morning. It was her most recent pregnancy craving and we all happily indulged.
“Have you slept with them yet?” Jessie prodded.
My entire face heated. “Slept” felt like such an understatement for what we did.
“Oh. My. God. You have,” Grace squealed. “Please tell me those two are trying their damnedest to convince you to stay.”
“Grace, it just happened. Will you please keep your voice down?” I looked around the empty dining hall. There was no one in here except for us and a few other staff members.
“Only if you tell me how it was.” Grace waggled her eyebrows.
“It was amazing,” I admitted, my breathy voice sounding foreign to my ears.
“I knew it,” she squeaked. “Those two are an intense combo.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with it?” I asked. “I mean, you have known Liam for forever.” I didn’t want to put an awkward strain on any of our relationships if things really didn’t work out with the guys. I’d also never considered if either Blake or Grace had any romantic feelings for Liam in the past.
“He’s like a brother to me. I don’t see where this is going.” Her forehead creased, and I laughed.
“As long as those two are taking care of you, then we have no problem with you claiming them as yours.” Blake patted my hand.
“Where is everyone this morning?” Alex walked in, looking around.
“There was a breach in one of the fences. Everyone went to go round up all the escapees.” Jessie waved her over to join us.
So that must have been where Duke went off to. My chest tightened; I’d immediately thought the worst. This was what Jeff had done to me—always assuming the bad before the good. I hated it.
“But you are planning on staying around for a while longer? You have to stay for the baby shower, and I want you to be here when the baby comes.” Blake picked up our conversation.
“I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about much past getting away from Jeff. As much as I would love to stay, I don’t want to be a burden.” My fingers traced the veins in the wood of the table.
“Honey, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. I’m sure your men will be trying to convince you to stay forever as soon as you see them again.” Jessie smiled.
I let out a deep sigh. If what we did yesterday was any part of this convincing, I was all for them convincing me some more.
“Oh, she’s got it bad. Look at that smile on her face.” Victoria pointed with her fork, and everyone started to laugh. I joined their laughter. She was right, of course.
“Well, that’s settled. Abbey is staying for a little while longer. So, please tell me we’re still on for shopping and partying this weekend?” Alex’s pleading eyes landed on me. “You have to come with us.”
All the girls answered their yeses.
“Absolutely,” I said. Everyone here made me feel right at home. How could I pass up an opportunity to have a girl’s day, especially when I hadn’t had one in years? Besides Blake and Grace, I’d let all my other girlfriends go at Jeff’s urging. I hadn’t realized until now how isolating that had been.
“First things first. We need to go to town and do some shopping. I think Abbey could use a few more things if she’s staying longer.” Grace looked me up and down.
“Can we stop by the grocery store too? I want to pick up something for the house,” I asked.
